Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author (that would be ME). No copyright infringement is intended.

Rated M for Language!

Won 2nd Place-Judges Choice in the Driven By Desire contest – driventodesirechallenge.blogspot.com

Armistice

"Okay, Bella, let's see it," Rosalie's voice rang out. She was exasperated.

I looked in the mirror and ran my hands over the dress, smoothing out wrinkles that weren't there. I was desperate to do anything with my hands except clench them. They were already red with all the nervous wringing.

"Bella, what do you think?" the shop assistant asked softly in my ear.

I jumped; I had forgotten she was even there. We had been here for two hours, and I was no closer to leaving with a dress than I was when I entered the shop. I was way past the old adage there is the perfect dress for every woman.

I shook my head quietly. "This isn't it either."

"This is Rosalie's choice?"

"Yep. She thinks I should go with a statement piece." I rolled my eyes. Rosalie never missed an opportunity to tell me how understated everything I wore was.

"I hate to say it, Bella, but this just doesn't suit you at all. The ball gown style doesn't flatter your figure."

"I know, I'm too short." This dress needed tall and willowy. I was five foot seven and slim, but in this I looked short and dumpy. "Well, let's get this show on the road."

This was dress number twenty, and I was just tired.

I grasped the excess material in my hands so I wouldn't trip and made my way out to where Rosalie was sitting. I couldn't even look in the mirrors anymore as I stood up on the little round platform and let the material fall around my feet.

"Oh, Bella, it's beautiful."

I kept my gaze to the floor until I saw Rosalie's ruby red ballet flats come into view. After last week, she vowed that she would never dress shop in heels with me again.

Finally, I looked up to the mirrors. I looked like a cake topper, which was ironic because in three days' time I would be looking at cakes and toppers. The dress was a beautiful ivory with a Cypriote lace overlay. A boned bodice with a sweetheart neckline gave me cleavage I didn't possess, but that was the only flattering thing about it. The layers of fabric in the skirt made me look fifty pounds heavier. Plus, with all the hooping and tulle underneath, I was bound to fall flat on my face as I walked down the aisle.

I stared at the girl in the mirror. She wasn't me. This girl was thinner, and you could see the slight indentations at her collarbones. This girl was pale, beyond the usual, the dark circles under her eyes more pronounced. But this was me. This was the Bella Swan I had become.

"Bella. Bella?"

I snapped back and plastered a bright, fake smile on my face.

"You've got to be kidding, Rose. I look like a giant marshmallow."

"Don't be so negative. A pair of heels will balance it out. It's an incredible dress."

I'd had enough. "You wear it, then."

"Dear God, Bella, just pick a dress! We have been at this for two weeks, and there are only six months to the wedding. You leave it for much longer and you will have to," her voice dropped to a whisper, "buy something off the rack." She shuddered. "Plus, I can't marry my own brother."

I couldn't resist; I snorted.

"We might be old money, but even in Seattle, they don't allow incest."

Finally, I cracked a smile. Trust Rosalie to put a crack in my emo feelings. There was a reason we'd been friends for over twelve years.

In six months and three days, on the 28th of May, I, Bella Swan, would be marrying Jasper Hale, Rosalie's brother.

"Oh, Alice called. She wanted to remind you that you and Jasper have the interview with the Seattle Times. She's going to send a car here in thirty minutes to pick you up."

Ah, Alice. Alice Brandon was the Hales' personal publicist and all-round family assistant. She primarily worked for Joseph and Sarah Hale, Rose and Jasper's mom and dad, but ever since Jasper and I announced our engagement, Alice had become my unofficial wedding planner. The only reason she is unofficial is because I am still adamant I don't need a wedding planner. Who needs a wedding planner for a small wedding? Knowing the reach of the Hales, my small wedding was but a pipe dream.

"I don't need a car, Rose, I'll take a cab. It's only a couple of minutes away."

Rose chuckled and shook her head at me. "One day, Bella, one day."

"What?"

"One day you will realize the life you are coming into by marrying a Hale."

My lifted mood sank again. When I said yes to Jasper, I didn't even think about what would come with him. To me, the Hales were always just a normal family in a small logging town. I knew they had money, but you wouldn't know it unless you saw their bigger-than-usual house in the woods and the fact that they took at least one vacation every year.

I looked up into the mirror again and caught a glance of myself. Panic ripped through me. The dress was too tight on me, and it constricted my breathing. I clawed behind me at the clamps holding the dress together and tried to pull them away from me.

"Get it off me!" I yelled. "Please, Rose, just get it off! I can't breathe…" I was beginning to see dark spots in my vision. "For fuck's sake, Rose, get this thing off me!"

That started Rose into action. She pulled the clamps off the dress, and it pooled at my feet.

Oxygen flooded into my lungs, and I could feel the rhythm of my heat begin to slow.

I stepped out of the dress, and Rose pulled it up into her arms. She stared at me in horror.

"I guess that's not the dress." I chuckled weakly and forced a smile on my face that probably looked demented rather than reassuring. A shiver snaked down my spine. I was standing on a display block in my strapless white and silver stripped strapless bra and matching panties. "I'm going to put my clothes back on. Can you give the dress back to the assistant?"

Rose nodded mutely and turned to walk away, and I stepped down from the platform.

"Bella, are you okay?"

Rose had turned back around, and she was watching me carefully as if I might fold into insanity at any given moment.

"I'm fine."

"I mean, are you truly okay?" I know that our family can be a lot to handle, and I know you hate all of this attention, but I'm so glad you're going to be my sister."

"I… I…" No words would come out. Instead I reached over and pulled Rose into tight hug before I made my way back to my dressing room. I needed to pull myself together. The pressure was nearly breaking me. I must have stood looking at my reflection for too long because Rose knocked on the dressing room door.

"Bella, you ready yet? The car is here."

I rubbed my hands over my arms in an attempt to ward off the cold. I was always cold these days.

"Yeah, Rose, just coming."

I hurriedly dressed and met Rose in the front of the shop, surrounded by wedding dresses. I needed to get out of here, now. I hugged Rose and made my way out to the curb. The town car was waiting with another faceless driver holding open the door. A jacket was resting on the seat inside the car, and the first genuine smile of the day graced my face.

"Jasper, I thought I was meeting you at the paper!"

I missed Jasper's little surprises, like when he would meet me in the town car when I was supposed to be meeting him at some fancy event—all just so we could grab a few minutes to ourselves before we were put on display.

"I'm not Jasper, hon. And I'm sorry, but he's running behind, so he won't be able to make it to this interview.

Alice.

"What do you mean he can't make it? It's an interview about us, about our relationship. That kinda means that we both need to be there."

"He phoned to say he was going into the office and would try to make it as soon as he can."

Hold up! "He called you? Why didn't—?" I stopped myself just in time.

"He didn't want to disturb you. You were wedding dress shopping, which is about the only wedding thing the male brain understands as important."

I was trying my best not to show the fury that was creeping into my bones. It was Jasper who had agreed to the interview when his mom had suggested it. Alice had been more than happy to arrange it all, and before I knew it, Alice was fielding possible questions.

"Maybe we should just reschedule?"

I really needed Jasper by my side for this one. His mom had talked me into it as a way of keeping the media off our backs about Seattle's apparent wedding of the year. Jasper had been his usual laid-back self about it, agreeing without hesitation, but I, on the other hand, hated the thought of sitting there and allowing someone to cross-examine me. I didn't want to be the centre of attention, but I loved Sarah, and I saw how happy this would make her.

"Nonsense! It was hard enough as it was to line these time slots up when you would both be available. It's fine, I'll be there with you."

Great, how reassuring.

After the dress shop, my nerves were frazzled enough as it was. I couldn't do this alone. I shouldn't have to.

"Alice, cancel the appointment and reschedule it for when Jay can be there."

I heard Alice huff. "Bella—"

"Alice, reschedule!" I said through gritted teeth. "Pull over here, please," I asked the driver.

I muttered a goodbye to Alice and climbed out onto the curb. The financial district of Seattle was still bustling even though it was the weekend and void of workers. There were too many people, and they all had places to be and people to see.

In that moment, as people moved around me so as not to bump into me, I had never felt so alone.

What would I do now? I didn't want to go back to our empty apartment, just to wallow. And God only knew when Jay would actually make it home. Instead, I reached for my phone in my jacket pocket and dialed.

"Bellaboobooboo, I dooooo love yoooooou," an off-key voice sang through the phone.

People stared at me as I laughed aloud.

"Emmie Bear!" Now people were definitely staring at me.

"To what do I owe this stupendous honor?"

"I was wondering what you were up to. How would you feel about catching the Seahawks game?"

"Don't you have that interview thingy today? Or is that next week?"

"Jay is stuck in the office, so we're going to reschedule." I could hear a lot of noise in the background. "You're busy, Em, I'm sorry. I'll speak to you later.

Suddenly the noise dropped away, and I heard a door slam shut.

"No, no, Bells, I was just moving to a more quiet spot. So, no Jay, huh? Well, that's just my most awesome luck. We're at Murphy's getting ready for the game. Come on down."

That was the best offer I'd had all day. Some football, a pint of Guinness, and random, sweaty hugs when we scored. It was just what I needed.

"Sounds like a plan, Emmie. I'll be there in about thirty minutes. Save me a seat?"

"Sure, sure. See you soon, Bellaboo."

As I hung up, I smiled to myself. If I could rely on anyone to distract me, it was Emmett McCarty; he was part-friend, part-big kid. Emmett was a friend of mine from work, but when he was introduced to Jasper, the two formed a bromance of epic proportions. The Hangover had nothing on these guys. At the end of the day, I knew Emmett's loyalty was with me. As much as he loved Jasper, he would always have my back first. He was the brother I never had.

The cab up pulled to the curb outside Murphy's, and I paid the driver. From the outside, Murphy's looked like a dive bar with a sun-bleached Irish flag, but inside it was like a cave of wonders, with dark wood paneling and cream painted walls, and pictures of Ireland dotted the walls. It was like stepping back in time to a working class, local pub in deepest, darkest Cork. I loved how it was all so warm and welcoming. Rosalie and I introduced Jasper to it when he came back to Seattle, and it became our go-to place ever since..

It was hard to miss Emmett's towering six foot four frame. Séamus, Murphy's owner, like to say that Emmett was built like a brick shithouse. Around his neck he wore a Seahawks scarf, and he was well into the pre-game warm-up.

"BELLA!" he shouted across the room.

I smiled and shook my head at Emmett's over-exuberance. Nothing about Emmett was low-key. I fought my way through the crowd only to be engulfed in Emmett's big bear hug. He put me back on my feet and chuckled at me.

"You're a bit over-dressed for a football game, Bella."

"Well, I was supposed to be at the interview today. I doubt a Seahawks jersey would go over well with the paper…or Alice for that matter."

"Who cares what Alice or the journalist think?" He never gave me a chance to answer because he shouted at the bar, "Hey, Edwardo, get my Bellaboo a drink, too!"

"Edwardo? Edward's here too?"

"Of course. Just because Jasper is stuck in the office it doesn't mean that the rest of us can't have any fun."

A familiar, tall, bronze-haired figure cut through the crowd, balancing three pint glasses in his hands.

Before me stood Edward Cullen, the third clog in the bromance of the century. Edward was Jasper's best friend and would stand up, much to my chagrin, as best man at the wedding. To say that Edward and I don't see eye to eye would be an understatement, and also not the whole truth.

When I saw Edward for the first time, I was distracted by Jasper. Jasper had been back in Seattle for two weeks after staying in the UK after finishing his Masters at Oxford. He'd returned home because he missed his family. I hadn't had a chance to catch up with him or Rose, so when I saw him in my local coffee shop, I was beyond surprised. He was sitting at a table and casually reading the paper. I had to do a double-take just to be sure it was him.

Jasper and I were already sitting at the table, laughing over old stories, when Edward came walking towards us with two mugs of coffee in his hands.

"Please tell me you wanted a latte, because there is no way I am going back into that line."

I looked up and felt like all the breath had whooshed out of my body. Standing in front of me was a guy that looked like he'd stepped out of a J Crew ad; the dark wash jeans, grey sweater, and button-down underneath literally took my breath away. His sex-tousled hair and lackadaisical smile sealed the deal.

"Edward, meet my oldest friend Bella." Jasper threw an arm over my shoulder and drew me to his side. "Bella, this is Edward. He and I work together."

From the start there was this…spark between us, a sizzle that hummed in the air. I could only hear the sound of my own breathing as nearly everything drifted away except for the gorgeous man before me. I was aware that Jasper was still speaking, and every now and again he would squeeze me closer.

The mugs in Edward's hands shook as the minutes passed, his knuckles turning white. I watched as Edward's jovial, open smile fell as he watched Jasper and me closely.

Ever since that day, Edward has been standoffish with me. He's polite to me, but after Jasper and I started dating, he became almost hostile with me, treating me just above civilized when Jasper was around.

I've come to believe that Edward is jealous. I've monopolized Jasper, and by accepting Jasper's proposal, Edward must think he's lost his best friend for good.

A roar of approval as the cheerleaders ran out on the field brought me back to the present. Edward was still standing in front of me, holding out a pint of Guinness to me.

"You remember?"

"Of course, Bella. You drink the same thing whenever we're here."

I could feel my mouth dropping open. He knew what I drank. I always thought that I was only good enough for his peripheral viewing, if that. Mind you, we tended to buy in rounds when we were out, so that's probably why he remembered.

"Hold up, I thought you and Jasper had the first media interview today?"

I rolled my eyes. Did everyone know our day-to-day lives?

"Don't tell me you stood Jasper up to watch a Seahawks game."

Typical. Of course I was the bad guy in Edward Cullen's high and mighty eyes.

"Actually, he stood me up. He's stuck in the office working, so we have had to reschedule."

"But we worked hard on Friday, so…" Edward stopped abruptly. "Who told you that?"

"He phoned Alice." I tried to keep the bitter tone out of my voice.

Edward scowled and muttered under his breath. I was about to ask him to speak up, but Emmett threw his massive arms around us both, causing my Guinness to slosh dangerously in my glass.

"Hush up, people! The Seahawks are coming out. Pay homage."

I laughed at my giddy friend and forgot the sullen man to my left as I hollered with the rest of the pub as the mighty, mighty Seahawks graced the field.

x-x-x-x

It was the third quarter, and the Cardinals and Seahawks were level at ten. The atmosphere in the pub was manic and full of good cheer, but the heat from all the bodies was stifling. I had stripped down to my button-down, rolled my sleeves, and removed my Seahawks scarf, and even then I was only really surviving because of the icy breeze that would blow in whenever someone opened the door.

Out of nowhere, Todd Heap scored a touchdown from a thirteen-yard pass. The pub went nuts in angry disappointment. Insults were shouted at the ref, Emmett's the loudest and most vocal of them all. Seven minutes later the whistle sounded, and the Seahawks were seventeen down.

"Okay, commercial break, and it's my round. Same again?"

Edward nodded.

"Yeah, me too. Can I have some water as well?"

Emmett headed off to the bar along with most of the pub. I was left with Edward, and the atmosphere was awkward, to say the least. I racked my brains trying to find something, anything, to start a conversation. We had spent the past two years barely on speaking terms, and this was one of the rare times when Jasper or Em wasn't there as a buffer.

People jostled me as they made their way back from the bar to catch the fourth quarter. One guy slammed my shoulder, knocking me off balance. My hands scrambled for purchase on anything to stop me falling backwards, but nothing came. I closed my eyes and waited for the crash.

It never came. Instead, strong, warm arms wrapped around me like steel bands. I slowly opened my eyes to find green ones staring back at me, full of concern.

"You caught me?"

He gave me a half-smile before drawing me up to my feet, his hands resting on my waist. I could feel his palms on my skin, full of delicious heat and comfort. The crackle that could always be felt between us was there, spitting and hissing away. In an almost unconscious movement, his thumbs rubbed circles on my hipbones.

"I…um…"

My hands reached for his forearms to steady myself. I couldn't form a sentence. My breaths were coming out in shallow pants, and I felt drowsy. Edward's eyes bore into mine; his beautiful emerald irises were almost black.

His gaze turned to my hand on his left arm, and suddenly he was gone, pushing me away from him.

"I'm sorry…" Then I saw it, too.

My engagement ring. The reminder of where my heart was supposed to be.

What was I thinking? I was getting married to his best friend.

"I should have known better than to get drinks during the break. The bar was slammed!" came a boisterous voice.

Emmett didn't seem to notice the tension that had enveloped Edward and me, and he handed out the drinks.

My eyes never left Edward. His hair was a mess because of the way he kept running his fingers through it in agitation. Did he feel it, too?

I moved myself so that Emmett was between Edward and me. Distance was a good thing; touching was bad. My mind screamed at me to stop, to move closer, but I couldn't walk that road.

I clasped my hands together because they wouldn't stop twitching.

"I'm sorry, Em, I have to go. My mom called. She needs help with…um…the car. I said I would help her."

"But, Eddie, there is only fifteen minutes of the game left. You can't bail now."

"Sorry, I have to. Plus, it's looks like it's a foregone conclusion."

Without hesitation, Edward grabbed his jacket and made a move towards the door. I couldn't let him just leave. I should, but I couldn't.

My mind—and heart—won the battle, and I reached out and grabbed for his hand.

"Edward…" He turned and looked right through me, as if he could see through to my racing heart.

"What, Bella?" His voice was tired and resigned.

"Nothing, just…thank you—you know, for catching me."

"Always."

He tugged his hand free and then he was gone.

As much as I tried to concentrate on what was left of the game, I couldn't get back into it. Emmett was the one to tell me that the Cardinals had won twenty-three to twenty. My mind, however, was on a never-ending loop of Edward Cullen's pained face as he pulled away from me.

What the fuck just happened?

x-x-x-x

I let myself into the apartment. It was almost eight o'clock, and all but the living room lamp was off. After leaving the pub, I decided to walk a little to clear my head before catching a cab. I ended up walking nearly three miles before realizing what time it was. My police chief father would have a heart attack if he knew I walked so far late at night.

"Jasper?" I called.

No answer.

I dumped my keys in a bowl in the foyer and toed my shoes off before heading to the living room. There, in the shadow created by the lamp, sat Jasper. His elbows were resting on his knees, his head in hands. He was so still.

I walked towards him and put a light hand on his shoulder. He was beginning to scare me.

"Jasper?"

He sat up in surprise.

"Bella, where did you…have you been here the whole time?"

"No, I just got home. I went to watch the Seahawks with Emmett and Edward.

Even though he straightened himself out to sit upright on the sofa, his shoulders were still slumped.

"What's going on, Jay?"

He turned to look at me, and what I saw shocked me. He looked haunted. Worry lines etched his face, and the light in his eyes was gone. In front of me was not the Jay I knew.

"Jay, you're scaring me."

I looked at the glass of amber colored liquid on the coffee table. For Jasper to be drinking alone, something was very wrong.

With a start, Jasper seemed to spring to life again. His brow lifted, he sat upright, and he even attempted a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'm sorry. It's just been one of those days."

I wondered how it could be 'one of those days' when he'd apparently stayed late of his own accord.

"Is work really that bad?"

"No, it's just…" He threw his hands up in exasperation. I knew Jasper wouldn't talk to me until he was sure he had it worked out in his own mind first.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go take a shower. I'm all sweaty from the pub. Wanna join me?"

"No, I'm going to finish this." He held up the glass of scotch.

He didn't even look up at me. I knew now wasn't the time to be asking about the interview and why he really bailed on me.

"Oh, hey, how did the dress shopping go? Did you find the one?"

I shrugged. "No. Maybe next time."

He nodded in response, and I walked down the hall to our bathroom. The distance between us had been growing over the last month. Jasper was spending more hours in the office, and I was spending more time with Rose to avoid being in the apartment with the echoing loneliness.

What concerned me more was that Jasper and I hadn't made love in nearly three weeks. We had always been unable to keep our hands off each other. The passion that fueled our relationship was petering off into non-existence.

Silent tears slipped down my cheeks. I felt so very alone.

x-x-x-x

The following week passed in a much happier fashion than the last. Jasper seemed to snap out of his funk by Sunday morning, when he took me to brunch, And he spoiled me with little presents all week, like having flowers delivered to my desk at work and making an effort to be home at a normal time. He even made dinner one night.

Today was a big day. I left work early to meet Jasper at the bakery. We were going to pick out our cake, and I was looking forward to the tasting so much.

I was running late. As I neared the, a familiar figure was waiting outside.

"Edward?"

He turned to face me. His brow was furrowed in worry, and his hands were fisted nervously by his sides.

"Ah, Bella…"

"What's going on? Where's Jay?"

"He got caught up at the office and can't make it."

"So he sent you?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, he didn't want to disappoint you."

"And he sent you?" I asked again. I still couldn't believe it. "Edward, we barely even speak. Why did you agree?"

"Jay said that you were really looking forward to this. Plus, free cake."

I let out a sigh.

"I can go. You can reschedule for when Jay is free."

Don't you dare.

"If I do that, there'll be no cake at the bloody wedding!" He turned to walk away, so I reached out to stop him. "No, stay. I don't want to do this alone."

Edward looked down at where my hand was nestled in his, and I pulled it away sharply. The hum was still there.

Instead of turning away from me, Edward reached past me and opened the bakery door.

"Ah, you must be my bride and groom-to-be!" a rotund man in a chef's jacket called out. "I am Fernando. I am Master Baker here at Cake Power. I understand from Ms. Rose that you're getting married in May?"

"Yes, the 28th."

"I've already checked, and that is no problem, especially for the bride of Mr. Hale."

"Oh, he isn't…"

Obviously Fernando knew the Hale name but had never met Jasper.

"No, he's right, Bella, Mr. Hale's bride should have the best." Edward's gaze was earnest.

Fernando looked over to Edward and winked.

"So, do you have any ideas on what you would like?"

I shrugged.

"You don't know what you want for a cake?" His face was a picture of disbelief.

I hung my head in embarrassment. I was never one of those girls who had planned their wedding from childhood. There was never any playing dress-up bride, and Rose was never my groom. I'd never compiled a wedding binder. My mother was flighty at best, and she stressed that she married my dad only because she fell pregnant with me and was way too young. She would tell me time and time again that she would never make the same mistake again, never be tied down and constricted by life. Was I making a mistake with marriage? Was I my mother, just a couple of years older?

"Bella is calm and uncomplicated. She cares for others before herself and is selfless to a point, but underneath her calm exterior is a woman with a temper and stubbornness that drives you nuts."

His hands were clenched on the table-top like he was wringing my neck. I swallowed deeply at the thought if his hands on me.

"She could argue that black was white if she believed it enough." He chuckled. "Trust me, we've had many a verbal sparring match."

"Hey, that's not fair!"

"She looks most beautiful in plaid and jeans, shouting at the screen when football is on."

Realization dawned on me. He saw me—me—the me no one else could see. The real me.

"When she walks into a room, her presence brightens every corner. She is the only thing I see. Even in a crowd of people, I can pick her out. And when I do, I could watch her for hours without her realizing it because she never thinks that anyone notices her."

I watched him, stunned.

What. The. Fuck.

Who was this man? This was not the Edward Cullen I knew. Where was the cocky, self-assured asshole that drove me insane and bated me into arguments?

"So, a cake to match the bride, no? I see, I see," prattled the baker. "Do you have a picture of the dress?"

I looked anywhere but at the baker. I really was shit at this whole wedding thing.

"No dress?" God, even the baker sounded despondent. "Color scheme?"

This one I could answer, even if I hadn't told anyone else yet.

"French lavender, white, and grey."

I was so pleased with myself when the baker's eyes lit up and he muttered, "Pretty."

"Why don't you and your fellow look at these books, wander around the bakery, and see what inspires you."

My head nodded like a bobble-head toy. I would agree to anything just to get away from the disappointed baker.

Edward shadowed me as we walked. I didn't even need to know where he was physically; I could just feel him. He would move one way and I would move the opposite direction. Our distance was kept, but we orbited around each other as we explored the bakery.

My nerves were frazzled; I was on edge and anxious. The hairs on the back of my neck rose when he came near and calmed as he walked on by along the row of display cases. The rational, sensible part of me urged me to sit at the table across the room and look at the damn books, to stay as far away from Edward Cullen as I could. My more emotional side, however, told my rational side to take a hike, and that it was running the show now.

I was so distracted. I kept staring at the same cake for over ten minutes.

"I don't think you want a My Little Pony cake for your big day. It will never feed five hundred people."

My breath hitched at his soft velvet tones and the warmth of his breath as it skirted across my neck. His body was so close that I could smell him, all earth and rainy days under a blanket, comfort and home. I closed my eyes against the sensation of having him so near. His pinky brushed mine, and my rational side finally got its act together.

I spun away.

"Edward," I breathed out.

He moved away from me to look at the toppers. Edward was right, though, My Little Pony certainly wasn't going to cut it.

"Hey, Bella, look at this one."

And, just like that, the moment was broken and we were back to being frenemies.

I wandered over, trying to keep a distance, and Edward took a step backwards. I smiled to myself; he was feeling this just as much as I was. The topper was about four inches high and a little more traditional than the pink pony…but not much more so.

The topper was of a bride in a conventional white dress dragging the groom behind her by his tux collar. There was even a ball and chain around his ankle.

"Have you forgotten who I am marrying, the family I am marrying into? I may have known the Hales my whole life, Edward, but I haven't forgotten for a minute who they are. If anything, this topper is the wrong way around, and Alice Brandon is my ball and chain."

I watched Edward's reflection in the glass. He winced when I mentioned Alice.

"Bella, I can never forget who you are marrying. He's my best friend."

His voice was so sad. I felt his pain in my heart.

"Ah, there is the lucky couple! Do you see anything you like?"

"I…" My voice failed me as I tried to quash the pain deep down inside of me. "I…um…I like the topsy-turvy cake. It's different."

"Unusual, yes, but doable. You like the topper?"

"NO!" we both shouted.

"No topper." He held his hands up in defense. "Why don't you go join Michel; he will be conducting your tasting. This is always the favorite part, no?"

Every bite of cake I put in my mouth tasted like sawdust. Edward pushed pieces around his plate with a dainty fork. Normally this was something I would be enthusiastic about, given my love of baking, but I could only keep my eyes on the white tablecloth. Even Michel had stopped trying to engage my opinions.

"So, those were all our flavors. Any favorites?" Michel asked in a heavy French accent.

My brain was mulch, with more thoughts than I could handle. I couldn't even remember what I tasted.

"Um…"

"Your favorite is the Chocolate Whisper, right?"

I nodded my head.

"And Jas—I mean, I prefer a fruity cake, so how about a bottom or spare layer for me in Raspberry Truffle?" Edward asked.

"How about I do alternative layers?"

"Perfect. Is that okay, Bella?"

I was stunned into silence. Edward and I had barely been able to converse without sniping at each other or trading sarcastic barbs. I had always seen him as Jasper's best friend who borderline hated me for barging into their lives. I thought he begrudged me the time I spent with Jasper because our bond was deeper than theirs.

Regardless of what I thought, I realized now that he saw everything; the little details that no one else saw. I bet I could ask Jasper what my favorite cake was and he wouldn't know. I was so fucking confused right now. My world was tilting on its axis, and nothing was the same anymore.

"So, I'll draw up the cake and send you the design. We can change anything you want, and then—boom!—we'll make the most amazing cake for the most beautiful couple, no?"

Michel showed us out, and the awkwardness settled around us once again.

Edward shifted from one foot to the other, wringing his hands. Every time he moved towards me, I shifted back, maintaining the distance between us.

"So…um…" I began.

"I want a truce, Bella. You're," he tugged his hands through his hair, "you're a huge part of Jay's life, and it would be easier all around if we tried to get along."

This day was turning into a complete head fuck.

"A truce? Oh, okay. A truce is good. You know, I never wanted to come between you and Jay. I'm not insecure enough to want him all to myself."

"It was never that, Bella. You never come between us. Well, except when Jay tells me to stop being such a douche to you."

That brought me up me short. Then why the fuck had he acted like an ass for the last two years? He seemed in no mood to explain himself right now, though.

"Oh, well, good, because God knows what would happen to you three if some girl forced a break-up of your bromance."

"You're not just some girl, Bella." His voice was almost wistful. "So, friends?"

Friends. With Edward Cullen. Who would have thought? And why didn't it feel like enough?

"Sure, friends."

I stuck my hand out, but he moved towards me with his arms stretched out to hug me.

Fuck.

He drew back to offer his hand, but I was already moving in to hug him.

Cluster fuck.

I grabbed his hand and pumped it once before dropping it like I had been burnt.

Friends with Edward Cullen. I was fucked now.

Chapter 2 up in two days – with A/N and thanks